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CompTIA A+ 1001 > CPU, RAM, Firmware, Motherboard, PSU > Flashcards

CPU, RAM, Firmware, Motherboard, PSU Flashcards

Identify terms/concepts for essential computer hardware.

1
Q

AC

A

Alternating Current:
Flow of electrons alternates direction back &forth.

Power companies supply AC because it travels long distances more efficiently than DC.

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2
Q

AC Adapters

A

Many computing devices use AC adapter as opposed to internal PSU.

Rarely interchangeable

Test: Voltage, Amperage, & Polarity

V/A Output Too Low: Device won’t run

V/A Output Too High: EXPLOSION

Polarity Reversed: Will not work

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3
Q

Active PFC

A

Active Power Factor Correction:
Smooths out power coming from wall before passing to PSU circuits.

Eliminates issues with harmonics (back pressure)

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4
Q

Add more RAM if…

A

General system sluggishness

Excessive hard drive accessing

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5
Q

Address Bus

A

Allows the CPU to send the address to RAM, and the data bus allows the actual data transfer to the PC.

Transmits the location of stored information.

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6
Q

Administrator Password

A

Locks/unlocks access to system setup utility.

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7
Q

ALU (Arithmatic Logic Unit)

A

A unit in a computer which carries out arithmatic and logical operations.

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8
Q

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X

A 
AMD Ryzen: Brand
7: Market Segment
2: Generation
7: Performance Level
00: Model number
X: Power suffix (high-performance)
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9
Q

AMP

A

AMD Memory Profile:

AMD’s version of XMP

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10
Q

Amperage (Current)

A

The amount of electrons moving past a certain point on a wire.
(measurement in Amps/Amperes)

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11
Q

AT (Form Factor)

A

Invented by IBM in early 80s

Predominant form factor for mobos through mid 90s.

Greatest issue: lack of external ports

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12
Q

ATX (Form Factor)

A

12 x 9.6 in

Most common form factor to date.

Overtook AT around 1998.

AT keyboard port replaced with rear panel that has all necessary ports.

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13
Q

ATX PSU

A

Single 20-pin P1 connector

Molex/mini connectors for peripherals

5V running to mobo (always “on” when powered down)

Soft Power: BIOS handles PC on/off:
Prevents user from powering down before OS
Enables power-saving modes

Obsolete once devices needed more current

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14
Q

ATX12V 1.3

A

First widespread update to ATX power standards (2003)

P4 Power Connector: 4-pin mobo connector for CPU
(Any PSU that provides P4 is an ATX12V)

P1 Power Connector: 20/24-pin

6-pin AUX connector: 3.3 & 5V current to mobo

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15
Q

ATX12V 2.0

A

ATX version that incorporated ideas from EPS12V

24-pin power connector (backward compatible with 20-pin)

2 12V Rails (for 230+W)

Dropped AUX connector; Requires SATA connectors

8-pin CPU Power Connector (2 4-pin sets; one being P4)
AKA: EPS12V, EATX12V, ATX12V 2x4

PCIe power connector: 6-pin or 8-pin
(NOT CPU connector)

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16
Q

Auto-Switching (PSU)

A

PSU automatically switches VAC depending on location/socket.

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17
Q

Bank (RAM Terminology)

A

DIMM slots

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18
Q

Beep Codes (POST code beeps)

A

Computer uses sound to indicate problems.

Varies among manufacturers.

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19
Q

BIOS

A

Basic Input/Output Services:
The firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process.

Provides runtime services for OS and programs.

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20
Q

BIOS Boot Process

A

Power good, CPU, POST, boot loader, OS

PSU tests for proper voltages, then sends signal down “power good” wire to awaken CPU.

CPU sends built-in memory address via address bus.

Initiates POST

Bootstrap loader: few dozen lines of BIOS code at end of POST program (for finding OS)

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21
Q

Boot Sector

A

Location containing special programming designed to tell the system where to locate the OS.

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22
Q

Boot Sequence

A

Order of devices to boot from.

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23
Q

Branch

A

CPU program with an IF statement. Instruction in a program that can cause a computer to begin executing a different instruction sequence, deviating from the original.

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24
Q

Bytes Per Second (Calculation)

A

MHz speed x 8

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25
Q

Cache

A

To reduce pipeline stalls (wait states), CPUs come with built-in high-speed RAM called SRAM (Static RAM).

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26
Q

Chipsets

A

Manufacturers combined controllers to make chipsets.

Extends the data bus to every device on PC.

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27
Q

Circuit Breaker

A

Heat-sensitive electromagnetically operated electrical switch rated for a specific amperage.

Too much amperage:
Wiring inside detects heat/current increase and automatically opens.
(Stops the flow of electricity)

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28
Q

CISC

A

Complex Instruction Set Computing. Contains a very large set of computer instructions from complex to specialized.

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29
Q

Clearing CMOS

A

CMOS RTC RAM:
Can be set to factory defaults by shorting the pins 10 sec

OR

Remove CMOS battery, wait several seconds, reinstall, boot

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30
Q

Clock Cycle

A

A single electronic pulse of a CPU. During each cycle, a CPU can perform a basic operation such as fetching an instruction, accessing memory, or writing data.

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31
Q

Clock Multiplier

A

Sets the ratio of an internal CPU clock rate to the externally supplied clock. 10x = 10 internal cycles for every external clock cycle

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32
Q

CMOS

A

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor:
A tiny bit of RAM hooked up to a small battery to keep it working with the PC off.

Handles system’s real-time clock (RTC).
Stores settings & information.

Standalone CMOS chip has been incorporated into main chipset.

If CMOS data about hardware differs from actual specs, the computer cannot access the hardware.

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33
Q

CMOS Battery Issues

A

Replace if CMOS information is lost.

Replace if clock keeps resetting.

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34
Q

Controller Chip

A

A communication bus that enables the CPU to send commands to and from devices.

Extends the data bus & address bus throughout the mobo.

Acts as an interface.

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35
Q

CPU Sockets (Intel)

A

LGA 1150 (H3): Core i3/i5/i7, Pentium, Celeron, Xeon

LGA 1151 (H4): Core i3/i5/i7, Pentium, Celeron, Xeon

LGA 2011 (R/R3): Core i7, Core i7 Extreme, Xeon

LGA 2066 (R4): Core i5/i7/i9, Xeon

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36
Q

DC

A

Direct Current:
Electrons flow in one direction around a continuous circuit.

Most electronic devices use DC.

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37
Q

DDR (Speed Rating)

A 
Clock Speed (200MHz)
x 2
DDR Speed (DDR-400)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC-3200)
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38
Q

DDR DIMMs (Pins)

A

184-pin (match 168 in physical size)

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39
Q

DDR micro-DIMM (Pins)

A

172-pin

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40
Q

DDR SDRAM

A

Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory:

Similar to Rambus, doubles throughput of SDRAM by making two processes per clock cycle.

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41
Q

DDR SO-DIMMs (Pins)

A

200-pin

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42
Q

DDR2 (Speed Rating)

A 
Clock Speed (200MHz)
x 2
DDR I/O Speed (400MHz)
x 2
DDR2 Speed Rating (DDR2-800)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC2-6400)
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43
Q

DDR2 DIMM (Pins)

A

240-pin

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44
Q

DDR2 RAM

A

Clock doubles the i/o circuits on the chips (speeds up i/o) & adds special buffers.

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45
Q

DDR2 SO-DIMM (Pins)

A

200-pin

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46
Q

DDR3 (Speed Rating)

A 
Clock Speed (200MHz)
x 4
DDR I/O Speed (800MHz)
x 2
DDR3 Speed Rating (DDR3-1600)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC3-12800)
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47
Q

DDR3 DIMM (Pins)

A

240-pin

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48
Q

DDR3 RAM

A

Higher speeds, more efficient architecture, and 30% lower power consumption than DDR2.

Higher-density memory chips, up to 16GB DDR3 modules.

Triple channel architecture; Quad channel architecture

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49
Q

DDR3 SO-DIMM (Pins)

A

204-pin

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50
Q

DDR3L

A

Low-voltage version of DDR3.

Provides substantial cost savings when used in massive RAM applications (data centers)

1.35V

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51
Q

DDR3U

A

Ultra-low voltage version of DDR3

1.25V

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52
Q

DDR4 (Speed Rating)

A 
Clock Speed (400MHz)
x 8
Bandwidth (3200 MT/s)
=
DDR4 Speed Rating (DDR4-3200)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC4-25600)
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53
Q

DDR4 DIMM (Pins)

A

288-pin

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54
Q

DDR4 RAM

A

Higher density and lower voltages than DDR3, and can handle faster data transfer.

Could theoretically go up to 512GB

DDR4 DIMMs max at 64GB (1.2V)

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55
Q

DDR4 SO-DIMM (Pins)

A

260-pin

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56
Q

Device Drivers

A

File stored on PC’s hard drive that contains all of the commands necessary to talk to whatever device it’s for.

OSs employ a method of loading drivers into RAM when the system boots:

Looks at list (file/s) to figure out which drivers the system needs to load.

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57
Q

Device Manager (Device Driver) Errors

A

Black “!” on Triangle:
Device is missing; windows does not recognize device; driver problem.

Black Downward Arrow on White Field:
Disabled device (turned off/damaged)
Right click, select enable (or try reinstalling/rollback)

”!”:
Check device connections; try “Update Driver” to reinstall

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58
Q

DIMM

A

Dual Inline Memory Module:
Has 2 lines of connectors (as opposed to SIMMs)

64-bit data path

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59
Q

Double-Sided DIMMs

A

Have chips on both sides. Basically 2 sticks soldered onto one board.

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60
Q

DRAM

A

Dynamic Random Access Memory:
Functions like electronic spreadsheet.

Numbered rows containing cells each holding a 1 or 0.

Standard RAM in all computers.

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61
Q

Early (Classic) Chipsets

A

Northbridge: Handled faster connections. (Handled RAM)

Southbridge: Interconnection to slower connections.
Handled some expansion drives & mass storage drives

62
Q

ECC RAM

A

Error Correction Code (or Error Checking & Correction):
Detects and corrects any time a single bit is flipped on-the-fly

Can detect double-bit error, cannot correct

Slower than non-ECC RAM

72-bit versions (64-bit + extra 8 bits for ECC)

DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 ECC: 240-pin

63
Q

EDB

A

External Data Bus:
The primary route for data in a PC. All data handling components are connected to it. Provides a channel for the flow of data & commands between CPU & RAM.

64
Q

EPS12V

A

Developed by SSI (Server System Infrastructure)

Made for server motherboards.

24-pin power connector (but with more stability)

P4, AUX, & 8-pin connectors

65
Q

Expansion Bus

A

An I/O pathway from CPU to peripheral devices.

Typically comprises of a series of slots on the motherboard (for card insertion).

66
Q

Fanless Cooling

A

Cooling system that doesn’t have CPU fan (heat sinks with no fans)

67
Q

Flashing the ROM

A

AKA: Updating motherboard firmware

Can be done with flash drive.

Can also be done using update utility that scans internet.

Failed BIOS/UEFI update: Bricks computer/device

68
Q

FlexATX (Form Factor)

A

9 x 7.5 in

Smallest ATX motherboards; no longer made/used

69
Q

Form Factor (Motherboard)

A

Determines the physical size of the motherboard & general location of components.

70
Q

FPU

A

Floating Point Unit:

A part of a computer system specially designed to carry out operations on floating-point numbers.

71
Q

FRU

A

Field Replaceable Unit:

Ex: RAM & Hard Drives

72
Q

Fuses

A

Electrical safety device that operates to provide over-current protection.

Fuses break when overloaded, which is why circuit breakers prevail.

Still found in electronic devices (like PSU) for internal protection.

Not easily replaceable.

73
Q

Ground Wire

A

Provides a path of least resistance for electrons to flow back to ground in case of accidental overflow.

74
Q

Heat Sink

A

Copper or other metal device designed to dissipate heat from whatever it touches.

75
Q

Hyperthreading

A

Enables CPU to run multiple threads at the same time (simultaneous multithreading).

Turns CPU into 2 CPUs.

76
Q

IEC-320

A

Power supply connector.

3 Holes
Hot: Carries voltage (like a water pipe)

Neutral: No voltage (acts like water drain)
Completes circuit by returning to local source (breaker panel)

Ground: Excess electricity can return safely to the ground

77
Q

IMC

A

Integrated Memory Controller:
A digital circuit that manages the flow of data going to and from the computer’s main memory.

Handles in/out to the RAM chips (built into processor chip)

78
Q

Intel Core i7 7500U

A 
Intel Core: Brand
i7: Brand modifier
7: Generation
500: SKU numbers
U: Alpha suffix (ultra-low power)
79
Q

Intel Microarchitecture Family Names

A

Nehalem, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake, Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake

80
Q

Lane (PCIe)

A

A pair of wires for PCIe: one for sending data, one for receiving data.

Can use up to 16 lanes. Max theoretical bandwidth: 256GTps

Up to 32GBps on x16 (full duplex data throughput)

81
Q

Latency (RAM)

A

Delay in RAM’s response time.

CL17 or CL19 (CAS: Column Array Strobe)

Numbers reflect how may clicks of the system clock it takes before RAM responds.

82
Q

LGA

A

Land Grid Array:

Flat platform-like pins instead of spiky pins (Intel)

83
Q

LoJack

A

If PC is stolen, you can track location, install keylogger, or even remotely shut down computer.

84
Q

MCC (Memory Controller Chip)

A

Connects RAM & CPU.

Grabs contents of any line of RAM and places data/command on EDB.

85
Q

Micro DIMM (Pins)

A

68-pin
144-pin
172-pin

86
Q

microATX (Form Factor)

A

AKA mATX

9.6 x 9.6 in (30% smaller than ATX)

Fits in standard ATX case, or in much smaller microATX case.

87
Q

Mini Connector

A

AKA Berg Connector

Supplies 5 & 12V to peripherals

88
Q

Mini-ITX (Form Factor)

A

AKA mITX

6.7 x 6.7 in

Virtually identical to mATX

Small amount of power needed.

89
Q

Mini-PCI

A

PCI in laptop form.

Lower power, lies flat.

90
Q

Mini-PCIe

A

PCI Express Mini Card:

Smaller form factor version of PCIe for laptops.

91
Q

Modern Beep Codes

A

Long, Short, Short:
Bad/missing video

Single beep repeated:
Bad/missing RAM

Series of short beeps:
CPU alarm/heat limit

92
Q

Modern Chipsets

A

Just a Southbridge.

CPU handles old Northbridge functions.

Define RAM capacity, USB capabilities, and more

93
Q

Molex Connector

A

Supplies 5 & 12V current for fans & older drives.

Chamfers: Notches on molex connector.

94
Q

Multicore Processing

A

Use of multiple cores in a processor.

95
Q

Multimeter

A

VOM: Volt-Ohm Meter | DMM: Digital Multimeter

Two probes (analog/digital) & dial for test selection

4 Tests: Continuity, resistance, AC voltage, DC voltage

Continuity: Tests flow of electrons; can determine if a fuse is good or check for wire breaks

Broken wire/fuse: infinite resistance

96
Q

Non-US AC Standard

A

220-240VAC

Most PSUs provide dual-voltage options

97
Q

NX Bit

A

Technology used in CPUs

Enables the CPU to protect certain sections of memory.

Stops malicious attacks from getting to essential OS files.

DEP (Data Execution Prevention: Microsoft)

98
Q

OCP

A

Over-Current Protection:
Monitors amount of amps in each rail.

Shuts down PSU if a rail exceeds cap

99
Q

Ohms

A

Resistance to the flow of electrons.

100
Q

Option ROM Chip

A

BYOB (Bring Your Own BIOS)

Individual BIOS not recognized by system BIOS.

Mostly replaced by software.

Exception: Still used in video cards

101
Q

Overclocking

A

Running systems at clock speeds higher than CPU rating.

102
Q

P1

A

Power connector from PSU to Motherboard

20 or 24-pin connector

Some mobos require an extra 4, 6, or 8-pin connectors for extra power.

103
Q

Parallel Execution

A

CPU processing multiple commands and parts of commands in parallel.

104
Q

Parity RAM

A

Stores an extra bit of data (parity bit) that the MCC used to verify whether the data was correct.

Wouldn’t always detect error; couldn’t correct

105
Q

PCI

A

Peripheral Component Interconnect:
At the time, provided a wider/faster/flexible alternative to any previous expansion bus.

Parallel communication

32 bits wide; 33MHz

Self-configuring devices

106
Q

PCIe

A

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express:
Uses point-to-point serial connection (as opposed to PCI parallel)

PCIe device has its own direct connection to CPU. Does not have to wait for devices.

Serial data: All bits arrive one after another in a single stream.

Transfer rate: operations per second (1-to-1 transfer vs. binary data rate)

107
Q

PGA

A

Pin Grid Array:

Tiny pins that align with holes in sockets (AMD)

108
Q

Pipeline Stalls

A

A stage hits a complex command that requires more than one clock cycle, forcing the pipeline to stop.

Current processors use multiple decode stages to reduce the chance of stalls.

109
Q

Pipelining (4 Steps/Stages)

A

Fetch: Get the data from the EDB.
Decode: Figure out what type of command needs to be executed.
Execute: Perform the calculation.
Write: Send the data back to the EDB.

110
Q

POST

A

Power-On Self Test:
Checks out the system every time the computer boots.

Sends commands to all devices:
“Check yourselves out!”

Uses beep codes & text messages to indicate problems

111
Q

POST Cards

A

Inoperative devices can disrupt POST:
PC can act dead (no beeps/screen)

Get POST card!

Can snap into expansion slots on system.

Small, two-character LED.

112
Q

PSU

A

Power Supply Unit:
Transforms electricity from wall socket into electricity that a computer can use.

(AC to DC)

113
Q

PSU Niche Form Factors

A

Mini-ITX & Micro ATX

TFX12V: Small form factor for low-profile ATX systems

SFX12V: Small form factor for systems using FlexATX mobos

114
Q

PSU Output Voltages

A

3.3 VDC
5 VDC
12 VDC

115
Q

PXE

A

Preboot Execution Environment:

Enables one to boot a PC without any local storage by retrieving OS from a server or over a network.

116
Q

Rails (PSU)

A

PC power comes from single transformer.

AC converted to DC split into 3 DC voltage rails: 12V, 5V, 3.3V

Multiple 12V rails used for high-end equipment

Single-Rail: OCP monitors all pathways

Multi-Rail: Each pathway gets its own OCP circuit

117
Q

RAM Recommendations (Windows)

A

32-bit Windows: 2GB to get by; 4GB for best results

64-bit Windows: 4GB to get by; 16+GB for serious work

118
Q

Page Fault

A

Milder error that can be caused by memory issues, but not necessarily system RAM problems.

119
Q

RDRAM

A

Rambus DRAM:
Developed by Rambus Inc.

Up to 800MHz

Shares almost all characteristics of SDRAM

120
Q

ReadyBoost

A

Enables one to use flash media devices as super-fast, dedicated virtual memory

121
Q

Registered/Buffered RAM

A

Small register installed on some memory modules to act as buffer between DIMM & MCC.

Helps to compensate for electrical problems that crop up in systems with lots of memory modules (ex: servers)

122
Q

Registers

A

The CPU uses registers for temporary storage of internal commands & data.

123
Q

RIMM

A

Stick of RDRAM

124
Q

RISC

A

Reduced Instruction Set Computer. Microprocessor architecture that uses a small, highly-optimized set of instructions. Developed by ARM Holdings. Energy efficient design.

125
Q

Riser Card

A

AKA Daughterboard

Plugs into system board and provides additional slots for adapter cards.

126
Q

ROM Chip

A

Read-Only Memory Chip:
Stores programs & services just like RAM.

Nonvolatile: Info stored is not erased when PC turned off.

Read-only: Once stored, can’t change

BIOS is stored on these chips.

Motherboards: Flash ROM (system ROM chip)

127
Q

SATA Power Connector

A

Serial ATA Connector (Mass Storage)

L-Shaped | 15-pin | 3.3, 5, & 12V devices

3.3V is not currently used (perhaps in future)

Supports SATA hot-swappable features

128
Q

SDRAM

A

Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory:

Tied to system clock, just like CPU & MCC

129
Q

Secure Boot

A

UEFI protocol that secures the boot process by requiring properly-signed software.

Drive encryption tool.

130
Q

SIMM

A

Single Inline Memory Module:

Early RAM Stick (1980s to late 1990s)

131
Q

SO-DIMM (Name & Pins)

A

Small Outline DIMM:
72-pin
144-pin
200-pin

132
Q

SPD

A

Serial Presence Detect:
Stores all info about DRAM (size/speed/ECC/non-ECC)

When PC boots, SPD chip is queried so that MCC knows how much RAM is on the stick (and speed)

Any program can query the SPD chip

133
Q

Cell (RAM)

A

A special type of semiconductor that can hold a single bit by using microscopic capacitors and transistors. (RAM)

134
Q

SRAM

A

Static RAM:
Preloads as many instructions as possible and keeps copies of already-run instructions and data in case the CPU needs to work on them again.

L1 = Fastest
L2 = Feeds the L1, which feeds processor. Slower than L1
L3 = Slower than L2
135
Q

Standard PSU Dimensions

A

150mm x 140mm x 86mm

136
Q

Standoffs

A

Pegs used to provide electrically-safe spacer between motherboard & case.

137
Q

System Crystal

A

Determines the speed at which a CPU and the rest of the PC operate.
Usually a quartz oscillator. (CPU Metronome)

138
Q

TDP

A

Thermal Design Power:

Gives a rough idea of how much energy a CPU draws and what kind of cooling is needed.

139
Q

TPM

A

Trusted Platform Module:
Secure cryptoprocessor.

Hardware platform for acceleration of cryptographic functions and the secure storage of associated info.

Can be in chipset, or small circuit board plugged in mobo.

Commonly used for hard disk encryption.

Can accelerate BitLocker Drive Encryption

140
Q

Traces (Motherboard)

A

Wires contained in the motherboard that make up the buses of the system.

Holds vast majority of the ports used by peripherals, and distributes the power from PSU.

141
Q

UEFI

A

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface:
Supports booting to partitions larger than 2.2TB

32 or 64-bit.

Handles all boot-loading duties (no more jumping from boot sector to boot sector).

All current systems use UEFI.

142
Q

UEFI: Boot Process

A

POST hands control of the boot process to boot manager:

Checks boot configuration, then loads OS system boot loader directly (no scanning for boot sector).

Stores the boot manager & boot configuration.

143
Q

US AC Standard

A

110-120V (~115 VAC: Volts of alternating current)

144
Q

User Password

A

Locks/unlocks computer booting to OS.

145
Q

Virtual Memory (fully automated)

A

Computers use portion of HDD & SSD as extension of system RAM.

Saves page file (pagefile.sys)

OS removes running programs temporarily from RAM into the page file so other programs can load/run.

If you have enough RAM, page file not needed

146
Q

Voltage

A

Pressure from an electrical circuit’s power source that pushes charged electrons (current) through a conducting loop, enabling them to do work.

147
Q

Wattage

A

The amps & volts needed so that a particular device will function is expressed as wattage. (Watts/W)

148
Q

Wattage Requirements

A

Insufficient Wattage = Dead PC

Min Wattage Rating = total wattage of all devices

No PSU can convert 100% of AC power that it draws:
Difference lost in heat generation

ATX12V 2.0 require 70% minimum (many operate much better at 80%)

149
Q

Wattage Standards Program

A

AKA 80 Plus

PSUs are rated from 80-94%

Bronze = 85%
Gold = 90%
Titanium = 94%
150
Q

XMP

A

Extreme Memory Profile (Intel):

Enables power users to overclock RAM easily.

CompTIA A+ 1001 (9 decks)

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